In the grip of Inequality

Martin Plaut's article 'Behind the Marikana Massacre' a behind the scenes look at the reasons behind the clash that left 34 miners dead, shot by security forces, is put in perspective. The strike by platinum miners in Marikana South Africa which led to this tragedy reflects what is widely recognised as the increasing disconnect of the ordinary man, woman and child on the streets, from the wealth and with it the greatly improved standard of living, which seems to be the exclusive reserve of the priviledged and well connected these days. Martin Plaut ends his article by declaring that "South Africa is not a country at peace with Its people". How is this so, one might ask? Inequality is perhaps at the root of the answer. The South African leadership should take note that Inequality in South Africa like anywhere else in the world, impacts negatively on social cohesion. The fuel that feeds inequality is greed, its path smoothed by an indolent leadership that fails to pay attention to the wellbeing of its people.

Highlighting what should really matter

An article by Asli.U. Bali and Aziz T. Rana published in the International Herald Tribune of 10/4/2012 titled: To stop the killing, deal with Assad is worth a read. The arguments made are quite robust insofar as it highlights an example [as in this case] of complicated dynamics that are quite often ignored either because of a simplistic view of conflict or a blatant protection of interests that ultimately disregard what should be the primary interest- the protection of the ordinary man, woman and child on the streets...

On Africa's increasing apetite for democracy and the rule of law

Recent events in Senegal, Mali and the Southern African nation of Malawi, that have seen an upholding of democracy and the rule of law, are put in perspective. Senegal has seen what ended up being a smooth transition of power from Abdoulaye Wade to Maky Sall, in spite of concerns expressed to the contrary. As recently as yesterday, Mali's coup leaders led by Captain Amadou Sanogo have bowed to pressure and offered to stand down and allow a transition to civil rule, as part of a deal struck with the regional bloc ECOWAS. Just today in Lilongwe, the Malawian vice president Joyce Banda has formally taken over leadership of the country following the death of President Bingu Wa Mutharika from a heart attack and the subsequent fears that a succession struggle would ensue. These further buttress the argument that in Africa, the increasing apetite for democracy and the rule of law is gathering steam. The increasing apetite for democracy and the rule of law? Indeed! as surely as it perhaps has as its mirror image, a decreased apetite for conflict and an increasing intolerance for arrogant and unconstitutional leadership, which by themselves are inimical to human progress.

One year on...

Today marks the 1 year anniversary of the uprising that started in Benghazi Libya, and that lead to the deposition of Muammar el-Gaddafi, Libya's strong man of some 42years. Today also marks 24 hours since the release of a 45 page report by Amnesty international, accusing Libya's militiamen of broad human rights abuses against those they suspect of being sympathetic to the former leader.

Amnesty International have described interviewing victims of torture occurring in several of Libya's town's and cities.. torture akin to that which Muammar Gaddafi was accused of meting out on his people.

Now, the world faces a challenge that surely was to be expected!??. Muammar Gaddafi's exit from power was a profound enough event as to need to be carefully managed by not only Libya's transitional government but also the external parties that helped depose him.

Amnesty International and other human rights advocates have asked Libya's current leaders to "show the political will to prosecute people who commit serious crimes regardless of their role in the uprising". For the sake of the rights, security and well being of ordinary Libyans, it is time for that call to start being echoed by the wider international community and organs of international justice.

Evil occupies created vacuum

The current crises to hit the west African country of Nigeria, which sees it grapple with the senseless killings meted out on its citizenry by the Islamist Boko Haram,as well as having to deal with removal of fuel subsidy in the midst of profligacy by a corrupt government, is put in perspective.

It seems that years of corruption by successive governments that have ruled Nigeria since its independence, and an amazing lack of will of its citizenry to call its leaders to account, has led to a situation that threatens the fragile peace and weak stability that the country has lived with since the end of its civil war 32 years ago.

Taking into consideration the much publicised kidnapping of oil workers and ordinary citizens in Nigeria's south, and the senseless carnage meted out on ordinary Nigerians by a 'Boko Haram' that is beginning to reach beyond its northern Nigeria enclave, One feels that evil has indeed occupied a vacuum...A vacuum created by successive governments that have had scant regard for the basic needs of its citizenry. A government made up of individuals that continually come up with innovative ways keeping power and untold riches gained by dishonest means, for itself.

In the current protests over removal of fuel subsidy, one however sees an opportunity..

An opportunity for ordinary Nigerians to hold their government to account as regards what would be done with money saved from fuel subsidy removal, and beyond that to seriously question government about the way they are being governed.

One feels that this, more than any crack down on the likes of Boko Haram, would guarantee peace, unity and achievement of the much vaunted potential of the ordinary Nigerian.

Now to the 'What next?'

The demise of Muammar Qaddafi was confirmed yesterday in Surt Libya, amidst jubilation from Libyan citizens who have borne the brunt of his rule of 4 decades,and which saw his oversize personality cast a shadow over this country of 6.4million people.

Leaders from around the world, many who did business with Qaddafi whilst his image in the last 5 years seemed to be undergoing something of a Renaissance, made statements which suggest that Libya and indeed the world are better off by the former Libyan leader's exit.

The hard questions have however slowly started to be asked about the way forward for a country that for 42 years, was held together by one man, by sheer force of iron will and cult of personality.

Honest observers are in no doubt as to the hard road ahead for Libya, and what the world would have to work hard at, is to find away to support the National Transitional Government to achieve justice, fairness and the rule of law. Only these would prevent Libya from descending into a chaos that looks very likely.

Muammar Quadaffi has played his part. He ruled as he thought to, and died as no one ought to. His death, one feels however, was by a manner he perhaps deserved.

It is now time for the Libyan people, currently governed by the NTC to play their part.. so, for Libya, what next?

The evolution of a mess

The civil war that has been raging in Libya since the early weeks of the 'Arab spring' revolutions is put in perspective.

This war of attrition of sorts has had so many peaks and troughs, with neither Gaddafi's forces nor forces of the Libyan Transitional Council making significant gains militarily as to convey a perception of impending victory.

There seems however one inevitability.. Libya as we know it is sliding inexorably into chaos and instability.

This is a situation fed by several factors, which include the arrogance of Muammar Gaddafi which brought about this war and still contributes to perpetuating it. Also, NATO which by its mandate ensures that forces of the Libyan Transitional Council continue to fight, even if not supported enough to unseat Gaddafi by force. Third is the steady flow of recognition akin almost to a herd mentality from western countries including Turkey, that declares that Gaddafi must go, without factoring in the sizable support for the regime in and around Tripoli. This is recognition that is not backed by the guarantee of unity of elements of the Libyan Transitional Council.

All of these have contributed to creating a paradox...

An intractable situation has been created, which could well be inimical to the long term peace, prosperity and self actualisation of the ordinary man, woman and child in Libya.